Cornish pasty makers have rallied round to try to save as many jobs and skills as possible after Crantock Bakery closed down.

The Indian Queens company, the fifth largest pasty producer in Cornwall, went into administration on Monday (July 9) with the loss of 109 jobs.

The business, which used to produce more than 80,000 pasties a week and was only recently listed as one of the largest employers in the Duchy, has blamed the rising price of raw materials for its demise.

Read More

Accountants Grant Thornton have been appointed administrators of Crantock Bakery and confirmed that all jobs would go bar 10 who will stay behind to administer the sale of the business and liquidate all its assets.

A spokesman for the company said: "Attempts have been made to sell the business in recent weeks but, despite the best efforts of management, cash has deteriorated rapidly leaving the directors with no choice but to close the business.

"Regrettably, it has not been possible to continue to trade the business in administration and so 109 employees are being made redundant. Ten employees have been retained to assist with the close down of the business and the sale of stock."

Now, members of the Cornish Pasty Association have come together to offer as much support as possible to those affected by the job losses at Crantock Bakery.

Jason Jobling, chairman of the association, said it has been compiling a list of vacancies within its membership and numerous opportunities have already been identified.

Positions for crimpers, packers, admin and finance roles along with a number of management jobs in production and new product development are available, so it is hoped the impact of Crantock's demise is not so harshly felt across Cornwall.

Video Loading

Video Unavailable

Click to playTap to play

The video will start in 8Cancel

Play now

Mr Jobling said: "All of us in the pasty industry were greatly saddened by the news of the closure of Crantock Bakery.

"The bakery was one of the association’s longest standing members and a significant employer.

"However, I am incredibly heartened by the way in which members have rallied to do what they can to help alleviate the difficulties faced by those who have lost their jobs."

Read More

Pasties in the news

He added: "The pasty industry always seems to display incredible solidarity in times of adversity and I have no doubt that it will do so again through this difficult time."

Anyone facing redundancy as a result of Crantock Bakery's closure and interested in finding out about any of the vacancies should contact the Cornish Pasty Association directly so they can be put in touch with potential new employers by emailing info@cornishpastyassociation.co.uk